Written and directed by Crichton, the original film was set in the near future at a high-tech, highly realistic amusement part called Delos that features androids that are nearly identical to human beings. The film, which starred Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin and James Brolin, led to a sequel, Futureworld, and a short-lived TV series, Beyond Westworld, which aired on CBS in 1980.

Plans to remake the film, with Arnold Schwarzenegger starring, were first reported in 2007. However, the remake's director, Tarsem Singh, eventually left the project.

Person of Interest's Jonathan Nolan will also executive-produce, write and direct the project. Lisa Joy will serve as a writer and executive producer. Kathy Lingg will be a co-executive producer and Athena Wickham is attached as a producer.